Harrisburg committee backs adding PennDOT I‑83 land acceptance to next council agenda

President Hill opened the administration committee and asked the clerk to read Resolution 79 of 2025, described as accepting an offer from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for a parcel and necessary easements tied to the I‑83 widening project. Administration staff explained the parcel is city‑owned but lies outside city limits and that PennDOT needs both permanent and temporary construction easements for the widening project. The administration said PennDOT provided an executive summary of its appraisal, which staff judged to indicate a fair price; the solicitor noted that without agreement PennDOT could proceed by eminent domain, which would impose costs on taxpayers.

Council members asked for clarifications about the parcel’s location and history. Solicitor Grover and other staff said the city acquired the land years earlier and that PennDOT previously took other pieces of property along the corridor. One council member observed that accepting PennDOT’s offer would avoid the expense and uncertainty of separate, expensive appraisals and potential litigation. No council votes were taken at the work session; President Hill moved to add Resolution 79 to the next legislative session agenda for a formal vote.

What happens next: Resolution 79 was advanced for placement on the next full legislative session agenda; the council will consider a formal vote at that meeting.